Drip irrigation systems can be installed on the top of the
planted bed; not only is this ugly but the composition of the pipes will break down quickly
under exposure to ultraviolet light from the sun. Bury the pipe under a
few inches of mulch and they will last for several seasons.

Most drip irrigation systems consist of:

a feed pipe;

a header with several arms to serve different rows or areas;

emitters or smaller tubes off those directed at the base of each plant.

Each emitter will serve one or more plants a measured amount of water,
controlled by a timer to turn the water off at the source.

The way this conserves water is that there is never water on
the surface of the ground or on the plant that can evaporate and be
wasted – it all goes to the root system of the plant.